CARE IN THE AIR

The Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance in Numbers

£8 million: The current cost of funding to keep the service operational each year.

169: Thanks to its public support, the service uses an AgustaWestland 169 helicopter – a top of the range Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) aircraft offering head to toe access to patients in flight. The crew also carry blood on board, allowing them to deliver potentially life-saving blood transfusions at the scene.

25,755: The number of missions the air ambulance has flown since the service began operating in 1994.

£4,000: The average cost of each mission.

24/7: LNAA provides a 24-hour service, seven days a week, enabling our clinical crew to give more people than ever the very best chance of survival. This level of care ensures it is at the forefront of Helicopter Emergency Medical Services in the UK.

3,500: The number of square miles that the service covers across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.

2,500,000: The number of people the air ambulance provides medical support to across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire

216mph: The aircraft can reach a top speed of 216mph and has a cruising speed of 180mph; more three times faster than a land ambulance.

20: The number of minutes it takes the air ambulance to reach the furthest point in its catchment area.

Four: The average number of callouts a day. n

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU MEET THE CREW OF THE AIR AMBULANCE?

>> After a collision between his motorcycle and a car, Joshua Marriott woke up in Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre, having suffered a broken back and having been in a coma for six days. He knew that despite his injuries, he had to get out of bed as soon as possible.

“I told them I had a baby on the way and I had a business to run so they had me sat up the day I woke up,” he said. “They couldn’t believe how quickly I was recovering.”

The Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance took just four minutes to get to Joshua at Skellingthorpe from its base at RAF Waddington. “I don’t remember much but I do remember the Air Ambulance crew and them being really, really good,” says Joshua. “If it wasn’t for the air ambulance I wouldn’t be here today, and I wouldn’t have met my son, Lorenzo!” n

>> Following a horrific biking accident, Simon has raised an incredible £13k for LNAA. Together with a colleague at University Centre Grimsby, he recently organised a mammoth cycling challenge for staff and students which raised a further £3.3k. “What was meant to be a day of fun ended up as a lifechanging experience. I am eternally thankful to the Air Ambulance for saving my life.” n

Simon Bryson was cycling with his 13 year old son Euan at Willingham Woods when he suffered a horrific biking accident

>> Bradley was just eight years old when he had an accident during an off-road cycle race.

Dr Hancock, who treated Bradley said: “We were in a big, muddy field, not the easiest environment to work in. Bradley was in a lot of pain and getting cold as he was in thick mud. It was potentially really serious because there are vessels and nerves where he was injured so it could have caused a lot of damage.”

After receiving the prompt care from the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance Service, who could reach Bradley easily, even in a remote field, Bradley was able to get back on his bike, and last year, undertook a 31-mile charity cycle from Benniworth near Louth to the LNAA’s Bracebridge Heath base, raising £2,000 for the service which saved his life. n

Ways to help keep your local Air Ambulance service

n Donations: The Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance does not receive any direct government or NHS funding and so without public donations, the service could not continue. You can donate by calling 01522 548469 or online at www.ambucopter.org.uk.

n Play the Service’s Lottery: There’s £1,000 to win each week and up to £25,000 in the new Prizebuilder Game.

n Volunteering & Fundraising: Whilst pilots and medics are frequently recognised in features like this one, there’s a small army of absolutely committed volunteers in the charity’s shops and those who raise money for the service through sponsored events and other activities. These less often-sung heroes are essential to the service.

n Legacies, Trusts & Grants: Leaving a gift in your Will can make the difference to someone, somewhere in the counties of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. Visit ambucopter.org.uk/wills for more information.

n Keep in Touch:v Facebook @Ambucopter or Twitter @LNAACT